Clamping arrangement for pressure casting apparatus



June 11, 1963 G. R. VOREL, SR

CLAMPING ARRANGEMENT FOR PRESSURE CASTING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 25. 1960 ll l INVENTOR.

June 11, 1963 G. R. VOREL, SR 3,092,881

CLAMPING ARRANGEMENT FOR PRESSURE CASTING APPARATUS Filed July 25. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a 90 INVENTOR. .58 5g K 3,692,S81 CLAMPWG ARRANGEh/ENT FOR PRESSURE CASTHQG APPARATUS George R. Vorel, Sn, Downers Grove, Ill, assignor to Amsted industries Incorporated, Chicago, 111., a corporation of New Jersey Filed July 25, 1960, Ser. No. 45,106 2 Claims. (Cl. 22-69) This invention relates to a clamping arrangement, and more particularly to a clamping arrangement for use with apparatus employed in the pressure casting of molten metal.

The invention comprehends an improved arrangement for detachably clamping a cover on a pressure casting tank.

In order to ensure the success of a pressure casting operation of the type wherein molten metal, in a pressure tank having a cover, is forced, by the application of super-atmospheric pressure thereagainst, from the container through a tube extending through the cover, into a mold disposed without the tank, it is essential that there be an air-tight connection or seal between the tank and the cover. This is necessary because of the pressures which are necessary to pressure pour the metal.

Not only must the connection between the tank and cover be air-tight, but it must be a strong connection able to withstand the intense pressures to which it is subjected.

Additionally, the connection, or clamping arrangement, between the tank and cover must be one which can be rapidly coupled or uncoupled so that the change or replacement of covers can be accomplished in a minimum amount of time to conserve the heat in the mass of molten metal to be cast.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide, for a pressure casting tank and cover, a clamping arrangement that is strong enough to withstand severe pressures and which can still be rapidly connected or disconnected.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from an examination of the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a pressure tank arrangement embodying features of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan View of a portion of the structure taken on line 33 of FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of the invention and particularly to FIGURE 1, it will be seen that a clamping arrangement embodying features of the invention is shown as applied to a pressure tank assembly which includes a preferably cylindrical pressure tank, indicated generally at 10, and a cover for the tank, indicated generally at 12.

The tank has an internal pressure chamber 14 adapted to receive a ladle L of molten metal M. In order to eifect a fluid tight seal between the cover and the tank, there may be provided an annular, preferably rubber, seal 16 between the rim of the tank and the cover. 'The actual connection between the cover and the tank is accomplished by a plurality of clamping devices 18 spaced from each other circumferentially of the tank and cover.

Referring now to FIGURES l and 2, it will be seen that the tank is preferably cylindrical in shape and includes a base plate 20 and an annular side wall 22 upstanding therefrom. The inner sides of the base plate and side wall may be provided with a refractory liner 24 which serves as an insulating barrier to retain the heat within 3,Z,88l Patented June 11, 1963 the chamber 14. In order to ensure the proper positioning of the ladle within the tank, the side wall 22 may be provided with a plurality of inwardly extending integral ladle guides 26, each of which includes an inwardly and downwardly sloping wall 28 and a vertical radically extending support web 2.9 connecting the inclined wall to the tank side wall.

The cover 12, as best seen in FIGURE 1, comprises a preferably circular metallic plate 36 having a central aperture 32 extending vertically therethrough for receipt of a pouring tube T which affords a means of transferring the molten metal M from the ladle to a mold D supported on the upper end of the tube above the cover 12. The underside of the cover plate 39' may also be provided with an insulating layer 34. Additionally, the cover and tank may be provided with a pair of mating guide pins and holes (not shown) to help maintain proper alignment between cover and tank.

The cover may also be provided at its outer periphery with an annular outwardly and downwardly sloping shelf or lip 44? secured to the cover in any manner such as by welds 42 and reinforced by a plurality of vertical radial webs 4-4.

The underside of the cover plate 30 may be provided with a plurality, preferably 8 pairs of integral clamp arm lugs 46 which are spaced circumferentially from each other around the outer periphery of the cover and which project downwardly therefrom on the outer side of the tank wall 22. 1

Pivotally connected to each of the clamp ar-m lugs 46 by a pin 53 is a generally vertically disposed clamp arm 50, which carries adjacent its lower end a pair of rollers 52 pivotally connected to the arm by pin 54. The lower extremity of the arm is provided with an integral outwardly projecting foot 5% which has a table or shelf '58 extending transversely of the arm and presenting a generally horizontal upwardly facing surface 59. The function of the clamp arm will be described later in the specification.

In order to prevent the heat in the tank from causing a deterioration or distortion of the rubber seal 16, the upper rim of the tank may be provided with an annular integral water jacket 64) which comprises horizontal upper and lower plates 62 and 64, respectively, which project outwardly from the tank side wall 22 and which are interconnected at their outer extremities by an annular vertical outer plate 66 which, together with the tank side wall and the top and bottom plates, defines an annular cavity 68 through which may be continuously circulated a supply of cold water. The connections of the water source to the water jacket 60 are not shown as they do not comprise an essential part of this invention and the connections may be made in any convenient manner. The upper surface of the jacket top plate 62 may be provided with an annular groove 69 for receiving a portion of the rubber seal 16, to prevent the lateral displacement of the seal.

The wall 22 of the tank may be provided on its outer side with an annular shelf 8% which includes, at spaced intervals, a plurality of roller guides 82, each of which includes a downwardly and outwardly sloping wall 84 and an integral wall 85 which extends vertically downwardly from the outer extremity of wall 34. The shelf may be supported by a plurality of vertical webs 88 disposed under the wall at each of the roller guides 82.

That portion of each clamping mechanism 18 which is carried by the tank includes a support and/or inclosure structure indicated generally at 90. The structure 99 includes a base plate or 1001" which has one side rigidly secured in manner as by weld 94 to the side wall 22 of the a point located just below the roller guide web 88 of the related clampirn mechanism. The plate 92 is disposed at a small angle relative to the horizontal so that the plate slopes downwardly and outwardly from its point of contact with the side wall of the tank. Upst-anding from opposite sides of the plate 92 are a pair of generally vertically extending side walls 96 which are interconnected at their outer extremity by a transversely extending generally vertical rear wall 98 which is also upstanding from the base plate 92. Thus it will be seen that walls 96 together with wall 98, floor 92, and tank side wall 22, form an inclosure for the related clamping device as best seen in FIGURE 1.

Side walls 95 of the structure are preferably interconnected by a pair of spaced parallel upper and lower shelves 196 and 102, respectively, which project inwardly from the rear wall 98 toward the tank side wall 22. These upper and lower shelves may be reinforced by separate pairs of spaced vertically extending pairs of webs 104 and 106, respectively, which are formed integrally with rear wall 98 and their respective shelves. It will be seen that the shelves 100 and 102 together with the rear wall 98 define a pocket 108, open toward the tank, which is adapted to receive and retain a jack mechanism, the details of which are described later in the specification.

In order to afford additional support, the structure 9% may include a reinforcing web portion 11% generally T-shaped in section comprising a pair of generally vertically extending walls or webs 112 and 114 upstanding from the floor 92 behind the rear wall 98 with the web 112 extending parallel to rear wall 98 and the web 114 interconnecting the rear wall 98 and the web 112.

The upper and lower shelves 103 and 1&2 may be provided with openings 1'16 and 118, respectively, extending vertically therethrough and the rear wall 98 may be provided at its upper extremity with an opening 119 extending therethrough. The purpose of these openings will be described hereinafter together with the jack mechanism 120 which is received within the pocket 108 formed by the shelves and rear wall of the support structure 99.

As best seen in FIGURE 1, the jack mechanism includes a housing or cylinder 120 having extending therefrom a fluid actuated piston or ram 124. The housing may be secured to the structure 90 by means of a bolt 126 disposed to extend through the hole 116 in the upper shelf 1&0 and be threadably received within the housing 129. The lower portion of the housing 1.2% is disposed to extend through or reside in the opening or slot 118 in the lower shelf and may be retained in position by means of a pair of retainer plates 12% which are secured to the lower shelf 162 by means of a plurality of nut and bolt assemblies 129.

In order to more completely inclose the jack mechanism 120 within the pocket 118 and thereby protect it from molten metal which might splash over onto it at any time during the casting operation, there may be provided over each support structure 9%, a roof assembly 130 which comprises an arcuately shaped generally flat outwardly and downwardly sloping horizontal wall 132 having extending downwardly and slightly inwardly from its inner periphery a generally vertical wall 134'. The wall 132 may be provided with a pair of depending vertical flanges 136 which are spaced from each other a distance slightly greater than the distance between the side walls 96 of the support structure 9d so that when the cover assembly is placed over the jack mechanism, the flanges 136 will be disposed adjacent the outer sides of the respective side walls 96. Also, the vertical wall 134 is considerably more narrow than the horizontal wall 132 and is adapted to fit between a pair of spaced bars 138 which are secured to the upper and lower shelves of the support frame. Thus the horizontal wall of the cover assembly protects the exposed upper portion of the clamp mechanism and support structure and the vertical wall 134 serves as a cover for the front portion of the pocket 108 which receives the jack mechanism.

Pressure fluid may be delivered from a source (not shown) to the jack mechanisms of the respective clamping devices by a main pressure fluid line or manifold ldtl having a plurality of separate lines 1M2 leading to each of the jack mechanisms. Each line 142 is disposed to extend through the opening 119 in the rear wall 98 of the support structure 9% and has a connection at 144 with the housing of the jack mechanism.

In operation it will be understood that after the cover has been placed on the tank by any means such as by a foundry crane (not shown) all that is necessary to lock the cover in position is to energize the jack mechanisms of the respective clamping devices so that their rams will move downwardly and engage the surfaces 59 of their related clamp arms 50 and exert a downward pressure to thereby clamp the cover on the pressure tank. When it is desired to remove the cover, the jack mechanisms are de-energized and the cover may be lifted off in the same manner in which it was applied.

I claim:

1. In a pressure casting arrangement, the combination of: a pressure tank open at the top, a detachable cover for closing the open top of said tank, a plurality of downwardly depending clamping arms secured to said cover and spaced generally circurnferentially thereabout, each of said clamping arms comprising an elongated body portion, a generally upwardly directed abutment surface formed on said body portion near the lower end thereof, roller means pivotally secured to said body portion near said lower end, a plurality of downwardly directed mounting brackets continuously secured to said cover, a pivot member pivotally securing each of said clamping arms near their respective upper ends to said mounting brackets, a plurality of laterally extending support assemblies secured to said tank in a manner radiating generally outward-1y therefrom, a pressure responsive piston and cylinder assembly received and retained by each of said support assemblies, a source of pressure fluid connected to each of said pressure responsive piston and cylinder assemblies, said pressure responsive assemblies being received by said support assemblies in a manner enabling downward movement of said piston in a direction slightly inclined from the vertical and toward said tank whenever actuated by said source of pressure fluid, and a plurality of guide structures formed on said tank externally thereof and arranged so as to be generally in juxtaposition with said support assemblies, each of said guide structures comprising an inclined guide surface extending both downwardly and away from said tank, a vertically extending and downwardly directed abutment surface formed at the lowermost end of said guide surface, said guide surfaces and roller means being effective to continuously position said lower ends of said clamping arms as said cover is being lowered onto the tank in order to place said upwardly directed abutment surface in the normal path of travel of said piston, and said vertically extending abutment surfaces and said roller means being effective to limit lateral movement of said lower ends of said clamping arms when said piston is urged against said upwardly directed abutment surface upon actuation by said source of fluid pressure.

2. In a pressure casting arrangement, the combination of: a pressure tank open at the top, a detachable cover for closing the open top of said tank, a plurality of downwardly depending clam-ping arms secured to said cover and spaced generally circumferentially thereabout, each of said clamping arm-s comprising an elongated body portion, a generally upwardly directed abutment surface formed on said body portion near the lower end thereof, roller means pivotally secured to said body portion near said lower end, a plurality of downwardly directed mounting brackets secured to said cover, a pivot member pivotally securing each of said clamping arms near their respective upper ends to said mounting brackets, a plurality of laterally extending support assemblies secured to said tank in a manner radiating generally outwardly therefrom, a pressure responsive piston and cylinder asassemblies, a source of pressure fluid connected to each of said pressure responsive piston and cylinder assemblies, said pressure responsive assemblies being received by said support assemblies in a manner enabling downward movement of said piston whenever actuated by said source of pressure fluid, and a plurality of guide structures formed on said tank externally thereof and arranged so as to be generally in juxtaposition with said support assemblies, each of said guide structures comprising an inclined guide surface extending both downwardly and away from said tank, a vertically extending and downwardly directed abutment portion formed on said guide surface near the lowermost end thereof, said guide surfaces and roller means being effective to continuously position said lower ends of said clamping arms as said cover is being lowered 15 2,912,728

onto the tank in order to place said upwardly directed abutment surface in the normal path of travel of said piston, and said vertically extending abutment portion and said roller means being effective to limit lateral movement of said lower ends of said clamping arms when said piston is urged against said upwardly directed abutment surface upon actuation by said source of fluid pressure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 632,251 Cooper Sept 5, 1899 2,006,240 Hines June 25, 1935 2,734,824 De Luca Feb. 14, 1956 Sylvester Nov. 17, 1959 

1. IN A PRESSURE CASTING ARRANGEMENT, THE COMBINATION OF: A PRESSURE TANK OPEN AT THE TOP, A DETACHABLE COVER FOR CLOSING THE OPEN TOP OF SAID TANK, A PLURALITY OF DOWNWARDLY DEPENDING CLAMPING ARMS SECURED TO SAID COVER AND SPACED GENERALLY CIRCUMFERENTIALLY THEREABOUT, EACH OF SAID CLAMPING ARMS COMPRISING AN ELONGATED BODY PORTION, A GENERALLY UPWARDLY DIRECTED ABUTMENT SURFACE FORMED ON SAID BODY PORTION NEAR THE LOWER END THEREOF, ROLLER MEANS PIVOTALLY SECURED TO SAID BODY PORTION NEAR SAID LOWER END, A PLURALITY OF DOWNWARDLY DIRECTED MOUNTING BRACKETS CONTINUOUSLY SECURED TO SAID COVER, A PIVOT MEMBER PIVOTALLY SECURING EACH OF SAID CLAMPING ARMS NEAR THEIR RESPECTIVE UPPER ENDS TO SAID MOUNTING BRACKETS, A PLURALITY OF LATERALLY EXTENDING SUPPORT ASSEMBLIES SECURED TO SAID TANK IN A MANNER RADIATING GENERALLY OUTWARDLY THEREFROM, A PRESSURE RESPONSIVE PISTON AND CYLINDER ASSEMBLY RECEIVED AND RETAINED BY EACH OF SAID SUPPORT ASSEMBLIES, A SOURCE OF PRESSURE FLUID CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAID PRESSURE RESPONSIVE PISTON AND CYLINDER ASSEMBLIES, SAID PRESSURE RESPONSIVE ASSEMBLIES BEING RECEIVED BY SAID SUPPORT ASSEMBLIES IN A MANNER ENABLING DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID PISTON IN A DIRECTION SLIGHTLY INCLINED FROM THE VERTICAL AND TOWARD SAID TANK WHENEVER ACTUATED BY SAID SOURCE OF PRESSURE FLUID, AND A PLURALITY OF GUIDE STRUCTURES FORMED ON SAID TANK EXTERNALLY THEREOF AND ARRANGED SO AS TO BE GENERALLY IN JUXTAPOSITION WITH SAID SUPPORT ASSEMBLIES, EACH OF SAID GUIDE STRUCTURES COMPRISING AN INCLINED GUIDE SURFACE EXTENDING BOTH DOWNWARDLY AND AWAY FROM SAID TANK, A VERTICALLY EXTENDING AND DOWNWARDLY DIRECTED ABUTMENT SURFACE FORMED AT THE LOWERMOST END OF SAID GUIDE SURFACE, SAID GUIDE SURFACES AND ROLLER MEANS BEING EFFECTIVE TO CONTINUOUSLY POSITION SAID LOWER ENDS OF SAID CLAMPING ARMS AS SAID COVER IS BEING LOWERED ONTO THE TANK IN ORDER TO PLACE SAID UPWARDLY DIRECTED ABUTMENT SURFACE IN THE NORMAL PATH OF TRAVEL OF SAID PISTON, AND SAID VERTICALLY EXTENDING ABUTMENT SURFACES AND SAID ROLLER MEANS BEING EFFECTIVE TO LIMIT LATERAL MOVEMENT OF SAID LOWER ENDS OF SAID CLAMPING ARMS WHEN SAID PISTON IS URGED AGAINST SAID UPWARDLY DIRECTED ABUTMENT SURFACE UPON ACTUATION BY SAID SOURCE OF FLUID PRESSURE. 